Capt. Jason Small relieved Capt. Jonas C. Jones Commander, Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command (NRNW RCC), Everett, in a change of command ceremony Friday, September 24th 2021. A retirement ceremony was conducted following the change of command to celebrate the 30-year career of Capt. Jones. Rear Adm. John A. Schommer, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, was the presiding officer.
Jones, a native of Whidbey Island, Wash., was the 26th commander for NRNW RCC Everett, since it first stablished in 1976.
“We have 16 reserve centers over 11 states, 4,000 reserve members,” said Jones. “Our job is simple, make sure that all 4,000 of those Sailors are ready to mobilize whenever, where ever required by this nation. During my time here, three year, we mobilize 657 reserve Sailors all over the globe. We mobilized 208 of those over the last eight months or so to support COVID operations, when the country was overwhelmed by the virus. Those Sailor, and the ones here who mobilized them, have my deepest respect.”
“Reserve Component Northwest team, you are superb,” said Jones. “Each and every one of you. In doing your job everyday with excellence, treating your fellow human being with dignity and respect, accomplishing tasks with no training, with the COVID task we had no preparation for that, and you knocked the ball out of the park every single time.”
Rear Adm. John A. Schommer, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command discussed with guest the importance of Navy leaders in a Reserve force that generates and maintains a ready, lethal force, that continues to provide a critical strategic depth to our Navy. During the ceremony, he voiced his gratitude and praised Jones leadership during his tour.
“It is my genuine privilege to be part of the change of command for Reserve Component Command Northwest,” said Schommer. “This is a transition between two incredible leaders, Capt. Jonas Jones and Capt. Jason Small. RCC Northwest is, as Jonas likes to say, where the west leads the best. In order to ensure that our citizen Sailors are war fighting ready, RCC Northwest relies on the best leaders, the best Sailors, our Navy Reserve has to offer.”
Small native of Carson City, Nevada will carry-on Jones term by leading the largest geographical Region comprised of 16 Navy Operational Support Centers (NOSCs) across 11 states.
“The Chief of Navy Reserve gave us a pretty simple mission,” said Small. “War fighting readiness. So everything we do, if it ties back to war fighting readiness we are doing the right thing. We know our mission and we can execute our mission. I am super confident in all the Sailors, Men and Women of the region to be able to do that. I am super excited to be a part of the team.”
With the reading of Jones’ and Small’s orders, command was officially passed to Small, transitioning him from his previous role as the Reserve Program Director of the United States Pacific Fleet.
The ceremony shifted from the change of command to Jones retirement, where he thanked his family and command personnel for all their hard work and devotion to the United States Navy.
NRNW RCC Everett’s mission is to deliver ready forces to operational commanders through Navy Operational Support Centers; provide oversight, comprehensive support, and guidance to Northwest Region NOSCs, ensuring Sailors are prepared to deliver strategic depth and operational capability to the Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint Forces.
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